swear that he will not bury Yaakov in but rather with his forefathers. Yaakov VAYECHI falls ill. He tells Yosef that G-d appeared to him in the Land of ; he was told his descendants would have a permanent ALIYA-BY-ALIYA hold in the . and SEDRA SUMMARY Menashe will be treated as equal tribes in dividing the land. died on the way Reuven into the land and I buried her there. Tradburks The Jewish people are ensconced in Director of RCA Egypt. And that is precisely the theme of Israel Region this parsha. Yaakov is fighting, pushing, Vayechi means life, yet the parsha begins perseverating on one theme; this is not with talk of death and ends with death. home. All he talks about is the land of Yaakov demands to be buried in Israel. Israel: don’t bury me in Egypt, Ephraim Yosef swears he will. Yaakov elevates his and Menashe will be equals in dividing grandchildren, Ephraim and Menashe to the land, may they prosper in the land (of be equal to his children as tribes settling Israel); he blesses the sons emphasizing the land of Israel. He blesses Ephraim their locale in the land. and Menashe. Yaakov calls all his sons Yaakov is insisting: we are here but we’re and blesses each of them. Yaakov dies. He going to be there. is buried amidst great honor in Maarat HaMachpela. The brothers are afraid In fact, were I choosing where to begin this that now Yosef will exact revenge. Yosef parsha, I would have backed up one verse. reassures them. Yosef asks to be buried in (Though the word “Vayechi” has a nice ring Israel when the Jewish people return. He to it). The last verse of last week’s parsha is: dies and is placed in a coffin in Egypt. The Yisrael dwelt in the land of Egypt, Goshen, beloved book of Breishit is concluded. held it, and were exceedingly prosperous.

1st Aliya (47:28-48:9) Yaakov asks Yosef to That is the exact same verse (almost) of the beginning of . There, Yaakov wanted to settle, take root, build a nation in Israel. Now, here he is doing exactly that; settling, taking root. But in the wrong place; in Egypt, not Israel.

Why does Yaakov mention that Rachel died suddenly and was buried on the way to Beit Lechem? Perhaps this is a tender moment of father and son. He is speaking

6 TIDBITS / VAYECHI 5781 to Yosef. “Yosef, you lost your mother tragically, suddenly. Rachel, my dear wife. Your mother. You, so young, it was all so ““AnotherA nother llockdown?ockdown? sudden, you did not have a chance to bury TThehe mmarinaarina aandnd bbeacheach aarere your mother in the way I am asking you wwithinithin tthehe oonene kkilometerilometer to bury me. You and I shared that tragic llimitimit ofof oourur nnewew bbeautifuleautiful time. Now, it is so different. I elderly. You, AAshkelonshkelon aapartment!partment! a grown man, of great success. Maybe we would have had more children. In her MManyany tthanks,hanks, .”David.” memory, in her honor, your 2 sons take said another happy client their place as full sons of mine, to fill the Owning your own apartment does not just allow void that might have been.” you freedom, but offers monetary savings, and an increase in your investment value. A wistful, tender, shared moment, amidst Anglo-populated, sunny Ashkelon is the answer! It’s very affordable – from $500,000 with just a 15% instructions of national import. down payment, mortgages available as well as bank guarantees. Rental income often in excess of 3.5%. 2nd Aliya (48:10-16) Yaakov cannot see. He hugs and kisses Ephraim and Menashe. Yaakov places his right hand on Ephraim, L I V E O P P O S I T E T H E S E A the younger; left hand on Menashe the 0 5 4 4 - 3 3 2 6 2 1 davidz@A shkelonProperties.com older. G-d before whom my forefathers walked and Who protected me, bless these. And may they increase in the land.

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OU ISRAEL CENTER 7 the younger will be greater. He blessed first born. Shimon and , due to your them both: The Jews will bless with “May anger, do not associate my honor. Yehuda, G-d make you as Ephraim and Menashe.” you saved my child from destruction; authority will not depart from you. Yosef suffered by his father’s favouritism Zvulun will dwell on the coast. Yissachar of him. He does want the same for his is a powerful worker; he will see the land’s children. But Yaakov insists. Because goodness and beauty. , the nation’s there is a difference between exclusion judge. G-d, we wait Your salvation. and distinction. Yaakov is not excluding anyone. Both are in. Both are blessed. One word is missing from Yaakov’s address Jews in the future will bless with both to each of his sons: G-d. The Torah does Ephraim and Menashe. But Yaakov tells not say he blesses his sons. are Yosef: while from now on all Jews are part from G-d. Yitzchak blessed his son: May of the Jewish people, while all are in, they G-d give you of the dew of the heavens… are not identical. Some will be greater, Even Yaakov himself just blessed Ephraim some less great. and Menashe: May G-d before whom my forefathers walked bless these young men. 4th Aliya (49:1-19) Yaakov calls his sons to And Yaakov told Yosef the Jewish people tell them what will occur with them. He will bless: May G-d bless you as Ephraim addresses them individually. Reuven, my and Menashe.

OU Israel Blessings are from G-d. Why does Yaakov mourns the passing of not mention even one time G-d’s name in his address to his sons? Because he is not Rabbi Yehuda Herzl them. He is describing them. He is Henkin zt"l emphasizing to them, as he is about to die, that their place is not in Egypt. Their place Rabbi, posek, and gentleman, is in the land of Israel. And they will get respected for his scholarship, there, with all their varied talents. To build sensitivity, and empathy. a nation. A nation needs leaders, merchant marines, hard working agriculture, justice. His responsa Benei Banim, and his Yaakov is stating as a matter of fact to his many piskei Halacha, books and sons what the state of the Jewish people in articles confronted the challenges of the land of Israel will look like. You will all the day with erudition and insight. be included because all your talents will be needed. And you are all different and We extend heartfelt condolences to essential. his wife, Rabbanit Chana Henkin, th their children and families. 5 Aliya (49:20-26) Yaakov’s address to each son continues. , a legionnaire. , bread and delicacies. Naftali, a swift ת.נ.צ.ב.ה

8 TORAH TIDBITS / VAYECHI 5781 messenger. Yosef had adversity but with G-d’s help prevailed and was enormously blessed.

With the description of Binyamin in the next aliya, the descriptions are complete. The Jewish nation will be built in the land of Israel as a result of all of you. None are out, all are in. It will be a nation of agriculture, military, leadership, bounty, justice, commerce, and trade. It will be a colorful, diverse and successful nation.

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The Torah learned through these pages of TT for Parshat Vaychi should be a zechus לעילוי נשמת הרב אפרים שמואל ב"ר יהודה ז"ל נפטר יט טבת תשס"ח The Silverman Family

OU ISRAEL CENTER 9 and respect to him. The Jewish people have earned great fame. At the same time, the end of the book of Breishit finds the Jewish people settled in Egypt, with no end in sight.

7th Aliya (50:21-26) Yosef counters that G-d Sale Listings In Jerusalem has brought them to Egypt so that they may survive. Yosef sees his great grandchildren in Egypt. Yosef has the brothers promise to bring his bones to Israel when they are redeemed.

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10 TORAH TIDBITS / VAYECHI 5781 HAFTORAH Joey Freudmann of Ophir Tours 1 KINGS 2:1-12 Great Pesach Programs in ISRAEL: Herzliya and the Galil In this week’s relatively short haftorah ABU DHABI: Deluxe Fairmont reading, King David conveys a message & Sofitel (Chabad Kashrut) from his deathbed to his son and successor, Shlomo. The words of the haftorah echo Call for full details: this week’s reading of the Torah in the 09-7602062 or 0547-455359 sense that Yaakov also offers his parting Email: [email protected] blessings and guidance to his sons. 054-461-3943 The King of Israel exhorts his son Shlomo NACHI REALTY Ramat Baka, nice new building, 2 rooms, to remain loyal and be steadfast in his 60m, 3rd floor with elevator, parking dedication to Hashem and to abide by & storage room, brand new, 1.64m nis His word. If he follows in this path he will Bustan Baka, 3 rooms, 75m, 2 full bathrooms, 1 floor up with Shabbat elevator, private surely see success in all his undertakings parking & storage room. Move in shape, and moreover will be a link in the chain 2.75m nis to ensure the continuity of the Davidic For rent in Old Katamon, 4 rooms, new high end renovation on Chizkiyahu Hamelech Dynasty. street, Shabbat elevator, joint parking, 7400 nis King David also details specific guidelines regarding various people Announcing a new 5781 RABBI WEIN Lecture Series 8 SATURDAY NIGHTS at 8:00PM that need to be punished or rewarded (January 9-March 6) for their actions. Through Zoom ONLY by prior arrangement & payment! HOW THE JEWISH BIBLE (TANACH) VIEWS CURRENT ISSUES IN THE STATS STATE OF ISRAEL How Tanach Views… January 9 - "… the Ingathering of the Exiles" 12th of 54 sedras; 12 of 12 in B'reishit January 16 - "… International Recognition" Written on 148.33 lines (rank: 45th) January 23 - "… Successful Military Operations" 12 parshiot, 7 open and 5 closed January 30 - "… the Spread of Jewish Knowledge Among Jewish People" February 6 - "… Israeli Contributions to the General World" In addition, the first part of the sedra is the end of February 13 - "… the Struggle Against Antisemitism" February 20 - "… Population Growth" the previous parsha from . Vayechi is the (no Purim lecture) March 6 - "How Tanach Views Economic Stability" only sedra that does not begin at a parsha break. 35 nis/ household per lecture, or 200 nis/ for entire lecture series. Lecture will be rebroadcast each Sunday (6 pm) for the 85 p'sukim - 44th same price. Payment in advance to join the lecture. If you wait 1158 words - 44th until Saturday night of the lecture, you may or may not get in. 4448 letters - 43rd Special offer on Rabbi Wein's newest book Shortest sedra in B'reishit "IN MY OPINION – 150 Essays by a Very Opiniated Rabbi" 33% reduction if you sign up for the new lecture series. Only 100 NIS MITZVOT including shipping. No mitzvot are counted from Vayechi. One of 17 [email protected] or 0544-18-36-54 sedras without mitzvot.

OU ISRAEL CENTER 11